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Digital Voice Recorders: Ratings of Sources
Total of 16 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. O'Reilly Digital Media
April 2009
Portable Digital Audio Recorder Comparison Chart
by Mark Nelson
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This comparison chart links to a dozen in-depth reviews of digital audio recorders written by musician Mark Nelson. The reviews focus primarily on recording music, so the recorders covered here might be… overkill for someone looking to make only voice recordings. However, the descriptions and analysis are more in-depth than any other out there, and the comparison chart provides a helpful snapshot of the pros and cons of each model.

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2. CNET
April 6, 2009
Professional-Grade Handheld Audio Recorders
by Donald Bell
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment CNET provides thorough review of several recorders, examining them for design, features and performance. Despite the higher price tags, Senior Editor Donald Bell prefers the Roland Edirol R-09HR and the Sony PCM-D50 to the Samson Zoom H2, which he contends is not quite up to snuff for professional quality use.
3. CNET
April 6, 2009
Lectureworthy: MP3 Players with Voice Recorders
by Donald Bell
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment CNET's Donald Bell lines up a handful of MP3 players that are also capable of recording audio and suggests the Cowon iAudio 7 as the best one, "offering tons of recording options and long-lasting battery life." The page provides specifications and links to longer reviews for his picks. A similar list at CNET of MP3 players with in-line recording also includes the Cowon iAudio 7.
4. AudioTranskription.de
Sept. 2007
Digital Voice Recorder Reviews
by Dr. Thorsten Dresing and Thorsten Pehl
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

While we don't usually rate reviews written by retailers very highly, reports here on the Olympus WS-300 series (including the Olympus WS-321M and Olympus WS-331M), Olympus WS-210 and Samson Zoom H2 seem… unbiased and relatively complete. Pros, cons and best uses are identified. Sound samples made using the recorders are posted (albeit in German) so you can hear audio quality for yourself. Several helpful informational articles are also published.

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5. PCMag.com
April 2009
Digital Voice Recorders
by Editors of PCMag.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment PCMag.com occasionally rates digital voice recorders, and its reviews are detailed and backed by hands-on use. Unfortunately, the Olympus WS-321M is the only still-current recorder to have received coverage. It receives a good four out of five star rating, and is called "ideal for professional use." On the down side, it is poor with music and is pricey.
6. Laptop Magazine
June 26, 2007
Olympus WS-331M
by Joanna Stern
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment In this single-product review, Laptop Magazine's Joanna Stern tests the Olympus WS-331M by recording a speakerphone interview and by taking it out for an interview at a noisy restaurant. While some faults are found, Stern says that the Olympus WS-331M is "absolutely at the head of the digital voice-recorder class," and is awarded four out of five stars.
7. Amazon.com
April 2009
Digital Voice Recorders
by Contributors to Amazon.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Amazon.com is a great place to read how happy users are with their digital voice recorders after the sale. Most recorders do well, though some are standouts. The top-rated models with more than ten reviews… are all from Olympus. For example, the Olympus DS-40 garners an impressive 4.5 out of five stars following lots of feedback. The few unhappy buyers have issues that are unrelated to the recorder itself. The Olympus WS-210S and Olympus WS-331M also score well. While they don't get as many reviews as the Olympus DS-40, there's still more than enough to see a clear pattern of satisfaction. Elsewhere on Amazon.com, the Samson Zoom H2 seems to be the top choice among high-end stereo recorders; it has more than 300 reviews and enjoys a generally impressive track record with owners.

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8. PC World
April 23, 2008
The Best Digital Voice Recorder
by James A. Martin
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

In this single recorder review, PC World's James A. Martin examines the Sony ICD-MX20 and says that it's both the best digital voice recorder and the best for speech-to-text recognition. The review is… balanced, citing both positives and negatives. His review assumes the reader is mainly interested in a recorder for use with speech-to-text software -- specifically Nuance's Dragon NaturallySpeaking -- but he also says that the Sony ICD-MX20 is suitable for a wide variety of other uses. No comparisons to other recorders are made.

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9. The New York Times
Sept. 21, 2006
Some Hot Recorders For Those Cool Podcasts
by Larry Magid
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This older article is mostly useful for those who require high-quality recording for podcasts. Reviewer Larry Magid mentions a few cheaper options for those who just need a basic recorder, then focuses on… three higher-end models: The M-Audio MicroTrack 24/96 (since-revised and renamed as the MicroTrack II), the Roland Edirol R-09 and the Marantz PMD660. Magid chooses the Roland Edirol R-09 as his top pick because it uses AA batteries and is smaller than the Marantz.

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10. GearLog.com
April 27, 2007
Hands On With the Olympus DS-40 Digital Voice Recorder
by Molly K. McLaughlin
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

In this blog review, the Olympus DS-40 is praised for its "utter simplicity." Though no other digital voice recorders are covered or mentioned, features and functions are well explained and illustrated, and… the results of hands-on testing are described. Recording quality is described as muddy, but understandable. The site also hosts a review of the Olympus WS-321M, but that report is largely borrowed from GearLog.com's sister site, PCMag.com.

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11. About.com
Not Dated
Top Seven Digital Voice Recorder Transcribers
by Susan Ward
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This roundup by About.com's Susan Ward focuses on voice recorders that can also transcribe speech to text. She prefers Sony's ICD-MX20 (reviewed here in a discontinued package that also includes Dragon… NaturallySpeaking Preferred Voice to Print Software) to the Olympus DS-4000 (since updated as the Olympus DS-5000). The Olympus DS-40 is called a "great all-around digital voice recorder at a good price point." We would rate this review higher except that it appears to be a bit older and the basis for the recommendations is not explained. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)

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12. Life123.com
Not Dated
Buying a Mini Voice Recorder for a Mac
by Dachary Carey
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This article provides a decent overview of how to record voice for a Macintosh computer. It recommends iPod and iPhone add-ons from Belkin for basic recordings but suggests the Roland Edirol R-09HR for professional grade recording.
13. TomsGuide.com
Oct. 12, 2007
Zoom H2 Digital Audio Recorder
by David Strom
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This brief single product review focuses on the Samson Zoom H2. In hands-on testing, sound quality is called clear, even when recording in large spaces. However, the interface is called "quirky," with a menu set up that's a chore to navigate. The manual is complimented as helpful.
14. PriceGrabber.com
April 2009
Digital Voice Recorders
by Customer Reviews
1 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment One good thing about the customer reviews here is that the reviews state how long the person has been using the product. On the downside, most models get only one or two comments from owners, which is too few to form a clear picture of which digital voice recorder is best.
15. Epinions.com
April 2009
Voice Recorders and Transcribers
by Contributors to Epinions.com
1 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Epinions.com doesn't have as many user reviews of digital voice recorders as Amazon.com, but it may be worth a check once you've narrowed down your choices. Like all user-review sites, the quality of the individual reports varies greatly, but some offer great detail and useful insights.
16. GoodGearGuide.com
April 4, 2007
Philips Digital Pocket Memo
by Andrew Kliem
1 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

On this Australian review website, Andrew Kliem gives the Philips Pocket Memo 9600 3.5 out of five stars, saying it's expensive and not easy to use, though it does offer excellent recording quality and a… host of features, including voice activation that is "quite cool." While this Australian site is usually a good source for technology reviews, the 9600 is the only current digital voice recorder covered.

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